Rate My Professor Gary Smith

Gary Smith is a Professor of Education and served as Chair of the Division of Education at Clearwater Christian College. He holds a B.A. in Bible from Clearwater Christian College awarded in 1975, a B.A. in Secondary Education from the same institution in 1976, an M.Ed. in Secondary Education from the University of North Florida in 1979, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Nova University in 1993. Smith joined the faculty of Clearwater Christian College in 1992, contributing to the institution's commitment to Christian higher education.

As Chair of the Division of Education, Gary Smith oversaw programs designed to train quality teachers infused with a Christian philosophy of education. The division equipped students with pedagogical skills, teaching methods, and subject knowledge rooted in Biblical principles, preparing them for certification as educators. Offerings included Biology Education (B.S., grades 6-12), Elementary Education—K-6 with ESOL and Reading Endorsements (B.S.), English Education—ESOL Endorsement (B.S., grades 6-12), Mathematics Education (B.S., grades 6-12), Music Education (B.S., grades K-12), Physical Education (B.S., grades K-12), and Social Studies Education (B.S., grades 6-12). Entry into the Teacher Education Program required 60 semester hours, a 2.50 GPA, passage of the FTCE General Knowledge Test, and divisional approval. Students completed field experiences and a 12-semester-hour student teaching internship in local schools. The programs aligned with Florida Department of Education standards, incorporating ESOL endorsements and meeting certification requirements for AACS, ACSI, and FACCS. Coursework covered ESOL assessment and instruction, reading diagnostics, classroom management, curriculum development, and methods courses tailored to specific disciplines, ensuring graduates were fully prepared for Florida Teacher Certification Examinations and professional teaching roles.